Groundhog Day?
Word from Wiese
7 February 2024
Last week, a party raged in Punsxutawny, Pennsylvania. Bustling throngs rivaling AGU football tailgate parties drank, danced and delighted—even before sunrise!–in preparation of “the forecast.” Would the world’s most famous groundhog, Punxsutawny Phil, see his shadow? Six more weeks or winter OR an early spring was on the line.
Knowing the future is appealing. Horoscopes, almanacs, palm-readers (Fayette County has our own on 54 headed to Fayetteville!) and even groundhogs are big money. As kids, who didn’t have fun times with Magic 8 balls?
What will our future be at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church on March 3, just a few weeks from now?
Will we be rejoicing or a bit discouraged? Today, I’m specifically thinking of how we’ll be feeling about our Rejoice & Renew campaign as we raise resources for the Sanctuary Renewal Project we feel the Holy Spirit is leading. Are we going to be rejoicing that we’ve got all the funds we need? Or bummed that we are short?
What’s the prediction? It depends. It depends on what we use to discern the future. If we listen and look to outside forces like groundhogs, we’re in trouble and roll the dice. But as Christians, our forecasts are guided not be Groundhogs, but by another G word, Gratitude.
If all COS families reflect on how we’ve been richly blessed by the Lord, I’m convinced that in a spirit of gratitude, we will easily raise the $190,000 we need for our renewal opportunity.
Indeed, gratitude was one of the key principles we explored in the sermon two weeks ago. Principles Christians use when making key financial decisions.
Another is “Urge to Splurge.” In case you missed it, I shared that as LuAnne and I decided to commit to one of the $10,000 gifts in the “pyramid of potential” that displays gifts of different size but equal sacrifice, I remembered buying LuAnne’s engagement ring. “Although some family members call me “Frugal Fritz” when it comes to eating out or buying new clothes, I knew that was an occasion to splurge a bit. Not every day does a guy get to buy a wedding ring that his bride will look at for decades. And not every year, does a congregation get to put its stamp on a worship space that our Triune God will use for kingdom purposes. There are certain times in life that you want to do it right! And LuAnne and I think this is one of them for our COS.”
Here is a list of principles you might want to consider as you prayerfully consider your Rejoice & Renew financial gift that we’re all invited to bring to worship March 3.
- Gratitude.
- Expectation.
- Urge to splurge.
- Sacrifice.
- Supplement, not substitute.
- Beauty of the Baton.
- Joy.
If you’d like an explanation of these 7 principles, click here.
If you’d like to hear the whole sermon that outlines the history and hope of Rejoice & Renew: A Call to Sanctuary Renewal, set in the context of the gospel story, click here:
If you’d like to see the presentation that describes the details of what’s being proposed for the refreshed sanctuary, click here for this past Sunday’s presentation from Don Livingston, COS Project Manager, along with congregation Q and A:
Thanks so much for equipping yourself with the testimonies and info provided in brochure/mailer, presentations, and sermons offered as our faith community engages in this exciting opportunity. Your prayerful reflection in gratitude to our Lord, not watching groundhogs or similar substitutes, will help us win the day together!
In Christ’s hope,
Pastor Fritz
Let us pray.
Dear heavenly Father, we’re so grateful that our lives aren’t determined by whimsical events like groundhogs seeing their shadows. Instead, we rejoice that our life forecasts are joyful and secure because you hold them in the palm of your hand. So, guided by gratitude and not groundhogs, in all our decisions, may we be joyful, bold, and courageous. At COS and throughout our lives, may we act with confidence within your provision and promise. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!”
Psalm 107:1
